Do Not Just Hire Anyone for Your Siding Project
I have been in the Siding business here in Lehi for a very long time. I have seen many kinds of home Siding projects. Some are good, some are bad, and some are very ugly. You want your house to look great and be protected. This is especially true with our Utah weather. The hot, dry summers and the freezing, snowy winters can really damage a home's exterior. So, when you are ready to replace or repair your Siding in Lehi, do not just take the first bid you get. You need to know how to pick a solid Siding contractor. Here is what I tell my neighbors in Lehi.
Questions You Absolutely Need to Ask
Before anyone even comes to your property with a ladder, you must ask the right questions. This is not just about the price of the Siding project; it is about trust and quality for your Lehi home.
- Are you licensed and insured? This is not something you can skip. In Utah, contractors must be licensed through the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). Make sure they have the correct classification for residential Siding work. This is usually a B100 (General Building Contractor) or an R100 (Residential & Small Commercial Contractor) license. Do not just take their word for it. I will tell you how to check that license in a bit. They also need general liability insurance and worker's compensation insurance. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) and call the insurance provider to confirm it is current for their Siding work in Lehi.
- How long have you been in business in Lehi? Experience is important, especially local experience. A Siding contractor who has worked around Lehi understands the specific challenges. This includes the alkaline silt loam soil we often deal with. It also includes the specific architectural styles you see in newer developments like Lehi West.
- Can you provide references from recent, local jobs? A good Siding contractor will be happy to share these. Call those references! Ask about their experience with the Siding company. Ask if the project stayed on budget and on schedule. Ask if they would hire that Siding company again for work in Lehi.
- Who will be doing the actual work? Your crew or subcontractors? It is not always a problem if they use subcontractors for Siding projects. However, you need to know who is responsible for what. If subcontractors are used, ask how the Siding company checks them. Ask if they are also licensed and insured for Siding work in Lehi.
- What is your warranty on labor and materials? Understand what is covered and for how long. A reputable Siding company stands behind its work in Lehi.
What to Look for in a Quote
You will get a few quotes for your Siding project, and they might look very different. Do not just compare the final price. Look closely at the details of the Siding quote for your Lehi home.
- Detailed Scope of Work: The Siding quote should clearly list everything. What type of Siding will be used? What brand and color of Siding? What is included in the preparation work for the Siding (for example, old Siding removal, repairs to the sheathing)? What about the trim, soffit, and fascia work that goes with the Siding? What is the cleanup plan for the Siding project? The more specific the Siding quote is, the better.
- Material Specifications: It should not just say